State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Pa.)
State Government: Elected Officials | Elected State Senators
Recent News About State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Pa.)
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Senate approves bill to expand benefits access for disabled veterans
The state Senate today passed legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth programs or benefits.
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Mastriano to host appreciation day for state working animals
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host State Working Animal Appreciation Day on Tuesday, June 11, with a noon news conference at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Soldiers Grove at the Capitol. Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, is collaborating with Senate colleagues and the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation to recognize police and military K-9 units; search and rescue dogs and horses; service dogs; and therapy animals.
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Senator Mastriano to host event supporting Israel amidst ongoing conflict
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), alongside other state lawmakers, religious leaders, a member of the Israeli legislature, and additional participants, will convene on Monday, June 10 at 9 a.m. in the state Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to express support for Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Palestine.
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Pennsylvania Senate approves bill aiding East Palestine derailment victims
The state Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sens. Doug Mastriano (R-33), Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47), and Michele Brooks (R-50) that would enable Pennsylvania victims of the Norfolk Southern train wreck near East Palestine, Ohio, last year to retain more of their relief payments and settlements.
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Mastriano calls for action against rising antisemitism on college campuses
Shortly after one of the worst terrorist attacks perpetrated against Israel and its people on October 7th, there was a widespread outcry for Israel across the United States. A resolution introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), condemning Hamas and pledging support for Israel, received bipartisan, unanimous support.
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Senate Approves Mastriano Bill to Help Veterans’ Families Access Burial Benefits
HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) to help the grieving families of deceased U.S. military veterans access their federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits."The men and women who served our country in the military deserve to be laid to rest with dignity and respect," Mastriano said. "Many families are unaware of the VA burial benefits for veterans. My goal is to ensure more veterans and their families can access these benefits, which the veterans earned through service to our country."...
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Mastriano Introduces Bill to Defund PA-Taxpayer-Funded Colleges and Universities that Support Antisemitism
HARRISBURG – State Sen. Doug Mastriano has introduced Senate Bill 1185 aimed at suspending state funding for Pennsylvania colleges and universities that support antisemitism. Mastriano expressed his stance, stating, "Targeting Jewish students because of their religion or perceived ties to the state of Israel is disgusting and cannot be tolerated." He emphasized, "Antisemitism should find no safe harbor on any college or university campus funded with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars."The bill comes in response to recent pro-Hamas and anti-Israel protests and encampments at...
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Mastriano Raises Concerns Over mRNA Vaccine in Pork Supply
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) has raised concerns about the potential implications of a new RNA-based vaccine developed by Merck Animal Health, known as "Sequivity," entering the pork supply chain. Mastriano highlighted the significance of this development in the pork industry, stating, "Injection of gene therapy into the food supply would result in Pennsylvanians unknowingly and unwillingly consuming gene-altering mRNA technology."In response to these concerns, Mastriano took action by introducing Senate Bill 883, which aims to prohibit the integration of gene therapy...
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Mastriano Announces $735,000 for Pedestrian and Bicycle Route in Chambersburg
HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) today announced nearly $735,000 has been awarded for a pedestrian and bicycle route project in Chambersburg."These dollars will help build a walkway and bicycle route connecting different parts of the community in a way that will enhance our neighborhoods," said Mastriano. "Whether as a means to travel from one place to another or as recreational activities, walking and biking play important roles in building strong communities."The project involves permanently closing two street blocks to vehicular traffic adjacent to the former...
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Mastriano Announces $13.6 Million in Broadband Internet Grants for Adams and Franklin Counties
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) announced today that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will be awarding over $13.6 million in grants to expand access to reliable, high-speed internet in Adams and Franklin counties. Mastriano expressed his satisfaction with the development, stating, "I`m pleased that these underserved areas of Adams County and Franklin County will now have the infrastructure needed to ensure faster internet connection.” He also emphasized the importance of high-speed internet in today's economy, noting, “In today’s competitive economic...
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Mastriano Announces $1.3 Million to Preserve 520 Acres of Farmland in Adams and Franklin Counties
HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) has revealed plans for a significant investment of over $1.3 million to preserve 520 acres of farmland in Adams and Franklin counties. The initiative aims to safeguard the agricultural heritage of Pennsylvania and ensure food security for its residents.The funding will be allocated towards purchasing development rights for the farms, protecting them from potential future residential or commercial development. The State Agricultural Land Preservation Board has approved conservation easement purchases for the farms, in collaboration...
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Senate Committee Approves Mastriano Bill to Help Veterans’ Families Access Burial Benefits
HARRISBURG – The state Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), recently approved several measures aimed at benefiting veterans and their families.Mastriano expressed the importance of looking after veterans' families, stating, “Our veterans took care of us and our country while they were alive, so we want to take care of their families when they pass away.”One of the approved bills, Senate Bill 1139, focuses on ensuring that deceased veterans' families are informed about federal burial benefits. Mastriano...
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Senate Approves Mastriano Bill to Increase Number of Firefighters in PA
HARRISBURG – The state Senate Monday approved a bill introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania by reforming the certification process."The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process," said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.“We can increase the number of volunteer firefighters by reforming the certification process without...
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Mastriano Introduces Bill to Divest PA from Chinese Communist Party; Treasurer Garrity Announces Support for Divestment Plan
HARRISBURG – State Sen. Doug Mastriano has introduced a bill aimed at divesting Pennsylvania from companies controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Treasurer Stacy Garrity expressed her support for the plan, citing concerns about China's geopolitical risk and human rights abuses.Garrity stated, "Due to serious concerns about geopolitical risk involving China, as well as the country’s record of serious human rights abuses, I directed my investment team to divest all of Treasury’s holdings in China in the first half of 2022." She added, "I believe it would be smart...
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Mastriano to Host Ceremony Honoring Vietnam Veterans Monday
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host a ceremony honoring Vietnam War veterans on Monday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m. on the front steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg. Mastriano, who is the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a combat veteran who participated in Operation Desert Storm, is hosting the event to draw attention to the service and sacrifices made by Vietnam War veterans. He emphasized, "He also wants to ensure they enjoy the positive recognition many Vietnam War veterans did not receive when they first returned home...
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It’s Time for PA to Send National Guard to Texas Border
Senator Doug Mastriano from the 33rd Senatorial District has called for the deployment of the Pennsylvania National Guard to the Texas border amidst the ongoing southern border crisis. The senator emphasized the importance of bipartisan efforts in securing the border to protect Pennsylvanians from various threats.The senator highlighted the severity of the situation at the border, stating, "Facts are stubborn things." He noted that millions of illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border since January 2021, with a significant number entering through Texas....
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Mastriano Announces $780,000 in Grants for Transportation Projects in Metal Township and Shippensburg Borough
HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) today announced $780,000 in state grants have been awarded for transportation projects in Metal Township and Shippensburg Borough, Franklin County.The grants were awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA)."Mastriano said, 'Much-needed upgrades to Creek Road in Metal Township have been long overdue. I supported the township’s grant application and am pleased to see the township has been awarded $330,000 to repair and repave this high-traffic roadway.'""Mastriano expressed his satisfaction, stating, 'After seeing...
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Mastriano to Hold Senate Committee Hearing Focusing on Victims of East Palestine Train Wreck One Year Later
DARLINGTON – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host a Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 27, at 10:30 a.m. at the Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department in Beaver County. The hearing aims to address the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train wreck near the Pennsylvania border with Ohio that occurred on Feb. 3, 2023.Residents affected by the train wreck will have the opportunity to share their experiences during the hearing. According to residents, "Residents will discuss the impact the train wreck continues to...
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Senate Approves Mastriano Bill Enhancing Overdose Tracking and Lifesaving Response
HARRISBURG – The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would ensure known or suspected drug overdoses treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers are recorded in a statewide tracking system known as the Overdose Information Network (ODIN).Sen. Doug Mastriano highlighted the importance of the bill, stating, "When EMS personnel encounter an overdose, that information doesn’t automatically go into the statewide tracking system." He emphasized the need to close the gap in data collection to provide health...
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Mastriano to Host Medal of Honor Service Wednesday
HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host a Medal of Honor service on Wednesday, March 20, at 10 a.m. at Soldiers Grove across from the fountain behind the state Capitol in Harrisburg. The event will feature retired Army Col Walter J. “Joe” Marm Jr., the sole living Pennsylvanian Medal of Honor recipient, delivering the keynote address.The Medal of Honor, the country’s highest award for military valor in action, was created during the U.S. Civil War. Sen. Mastriano, who is the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a...